BEING HUMAN “You’re the One That I Haunt” Review

BEING HUMAN “You’re the One That I Haunt” Episode 11 – There is an eerie stillness before the sky cracks open… You can feel the storm gathering. When you know you are going to die a violent death, it is all about the waiting for the storm to come. And there is a storm gathering on BEING HUMAN. Sally is still suffering from the after effects of the exorcism, Aidan is a little on edge after his encounter with Bishop and the Dutch and Josh… Poor Josh.

I have this sense of impending disaster, for all of them.

Nora is not doing as well as maybe she should be in the first blush of pregnancy. Sally has gone a little vengeful; Danny is her target, but she feels better after she slits his throat a little. Josh, in addition to his concerns for Nora, is having a little problem keeping Aidan calm. It’s when he takes Aidan out for a walk to cool off that Aidan sees his one-time love, now an older woman in the hospital for palliative care for cancer.

Things go downhill from there. Because there really are people, well vampires, trying to kill Aidan, and they will attack anywhere, anytime they have a chance. Sally’s emancipating throat-slitting comes back to haunt her, when Danny shows up with a can of gasoline to burn the house down. He’s determined to get rid of her, but he doesn’t count on two things. You guessed it, Aidan and Josh.

“You’re the One That I Haunt” takes a turn from the dark violence that has marked the last few episodes of Being Human. This one is far quieter, the movements small in the larger world, but so much deeper because of that. There is a poignancy that runs throughout the entire episode that touches each of the roommates’ stories. No less moving than the violence, in fact in its sheer quiet passing is far more powerful in many ways.

Sally comes the closest to brushing the usual storyline–from her moment of throat-slitting to the seconds when she is willing to die so Danny will burn with her. Even then, though, it’s quieter, hushed, the only real violence coming from Aidan finally getting the chance to lash out at Sally’s killer. I have to admit I was as torn as Sally, I wanted Danny to die, but what would that have done to her? I’m not completely sure the solution is satisfying for that vengeful bit of me, but it was best for Sally, perhaps, when all was said and done.

Josh nearly broke my heart this week, his wanting to give his life to be normal. The conversation with Aidan about his child, his worry, then covering with humor. So very human for the character that worries most about being a monster. I feel it in my bones that something terrible is going to happen, something that will make him once again believe he is a monster. His brief reprieve, his brief happiness, (yes, I do think it’s brief) is so touching. His joy at Nora’s ultrasound was almost too much, and the tears started up.

Of course, the tears had been lurking right along, thanks to Aidan’s incredibly poignant, heartbreaking, and gentle love story. The backstory was bittersweet, touching once again on his long-standing war with Bishop, and bringing that hatred into the modern storyline with seamless ease. From the beginning, I have been less drawn to Aidan’s story than the others’, but the past few episodes have softened my heart towards him, and his plea tonight to be allowed to turn his one-time love, to save her from the cancer that was killing her was so tender, it was amazing. It was incredibly well played and oh, so believable.

Gentle, touching, poignant, sweet at times. And the end, standing together celebrating each win in their lives, fatherhood, Sally’s escape from Danny and that moment when Sally’s reward was hanging there in the middle of the living room. I felt bad that I wanted to shout “No! Don’t go!” Still, I understood. It was so quiet, so perfect.

Until that shattering final moment. I was left, literally with my mouth hanging open, staring at the screen, too stunned to even vocalize how I felt. The tears couldn’t even come. I was just stunned. I still am. There has only been one other moment on a TV show that has left me with that cold, heart-stopping shock.

There will be no sleep tonight, not after that. “You’re the One That I Haunt” was brilliant, it was everything television should be but so rarely is. And I will sit here hanging on, Being Human, desperately waiting until next week.

About The Author

Born in California, Muffy Morrigan began her writing career at the age of six, when after completing her first hand written novel she attempted to sell it to the neighbors for the lofty price of ten cents.
After myriad careers, including archaeological consultant, teacher, herbalist, shop keeper, news editor, reporter and columnist, she has settled in to her first love and passion–writing. She currently lives and works in the Pacific Northwest.

Yes, yes, yes. The ending was so startling, after the events of the show being, as you said, kind of a quiet calm, just like that gathering storm.

I am guessing the stake missed his heart, or Aidan would be crumbling to dust?

And the fetus looking like it is at 14 weeks, not 7 – to me says *problem* in a huge way.

I too did not want Sally to leave, and I was wondering how they were going to stop it from happening.

I guess there was no need for Aidan’s lost love to tell him the truth about what Bishop did, but still, I wish she had.

Finally, was that Bishop that came through the window, or one of his minions? I could not tell.

Edge of my seat does not even begin to describe it……

http://twitter.com/angiebatgirl Boo! Angie

It missed. He got him in the stomach. I’m guessing wood slows/stops the healing process cuz he was kind of okay when he had that metal pole rammed thru his stomach.
It would make sense that the fetus would be growing at an accelerated rate. I’m still thinking that she loses it.
That was Bishop that came thru the window. He was messed up cuz he came in without being invited so that’s why his face was all bubbly and smokey.

Pat

Hi! Thanks for your reply! Ok, so he got it in the stomach, so can survive (oh, please, I hope!). I was wondering why Josh did not pull it out – I know that can cause more problems, so hopefully they can get him to a hospital or something…

Why does it make sense that the fetus is growing at an accelerated rate?

And, I heard that in the show too, but did not understand it – why would Bishop not be able to come inside the house? I guess I missed the explanation of that – but I have not missed any episodes!

Thanks for your help understanding!

http://www.daemonstv.com/ Sandie

Hi Pat – For Bishop, it’s the old vampire myth, they can’t come into a house unless they are invited and Bishop was never invited inside Aidan’s house, hence when he jumped in the house he started burning up, the same way the sun burns vampires. Does that make sense?

As for the fetus, there are 2 explanations, either it’s growing fast because it’s part werewolf and grows at a different rate than humans, or Josh is not the father

Can’t wait for next week!

Pat

Hi! Ah, ok, I was not aware of that myth – thanks for cluing me in!

And, ok, I see what you mean about the fetus…. Thanks so much- I can’t wait either!

Mish

I am going to die watching this show … and the finale is going to the thing to do me in – what a wonderful review, I’m so happy this wasn’t the last epi of the season, but I’m terrified to watch the next epi … this show is brilliant!
I want more … MORE I SAY!!!

http://www.daemonstv.com/ Sandie

If you love Being Human US so much, then you should really give the original UK version a chance when the US one is over. It will be a great way to get more of the show.

Pat

The problem is, that it is in what, season 3? I watched it a bit last year when a British friend recommended it, but I did not understand some of the stuff that was going on.

http://www.daemonstv.com/ Sandie

Oh Pat you need to get the DVDs (they are definitely available to rent) and start from the beginning. You definitely shouldn’t jump in the middle. I think if you start from the beginning, you’ll love it.

I’m a huge fan of the original, but I also love this new version, so it’s like getting twice the fun